Today marks the 5th anniversary of the illegal arrest of Anne Krueger, currently Kilusang Mayo Uno’s international officer, and peasant leader Danny Tabura. Anne and Danny, currently out on bail, on trumped up charges of illegal possession of firearms. So long as their cases are not dismissed, they will remain victims of injustice. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Anne and Danny were among the 57 that were arrested in 2019 via questionable warrants issued by the notorious Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert in Negros. While the charges on the 55 activists were dropped, Anne and Danny’s case remains Active. Their case exemplifies the continuing crackdown on trade union organizers and activists. Recently, Maritess David and Gavino Panganiban, union organizers in Southern Tagalog, were also arrested on trumped up charges.
Anne, who previously was a community journalist and union organizer, was arbitrarily arrested while at Gabriela Negros’ office. Danny, KMP Negros spokesperson, fell victim to the same coordinated raids that targeted multiple progressive organizations in Bacolod City.
These arrests are part of the government’s systematic campaign of repression against workers and trade unions amidst the growing clamor for P1200 family living wage, job security and freedom of association—targeting activists and progressive organizations. The use of defective and invalid search warrants has become a convenient tool for harassing legitimate labor and peasant advocates.
KMU strongly condemns these continuing attacks against labor rights defenders and demand that these fabricated charges of illegal possession of firearms against Anne and Danny.
We call on all workers and advocates to stand in solidarity with Anne and Danny and all workers and unionists being persecuted by the Philippine government.
Hands off Anne Kreuger!
Hands off Danny Tabura!
Stop state terrorism against trade unionists!